DEVON, PA (March 3, 2005) – Americans now have a new, all-natural,  FDA-compliant tool in the fight against coronary heart disease – the leading cause of death in this country.  OatVantage™, the first highly concentrated source of oat bran, is now available in capsule form in more than 10,000 health food stores, vitamin shops, and other retail outlets nationwide.

Research reported by the American Heart Association indicates that for every 10 percent reduction in cholesterol, the risk of death from heart disease decreases 15 percent.  In 1997, after reviewing numerous clinical studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that diets high in oat bran and low in fat may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.

“Consumers have become acutely aware of the fact that oats can play a key role in reducing their risk of heart disease by lowering their cholesterol,” said H. Griffith Parker, Chairman of Nurture, Inc., the manufacturer of OatVantage.  “OatVantage provides 18 times the fiber found in oats.  By perfecting our technology, we’re able to package a highly-concentrated form of oat soluble fiber, known as beta-glucan, in convenient, easy-to-consume capsules – the first time this level of concentrated oat bran has been available to consumers.  OatVantage has far more soluble oat fiber than any other oat bran product on the market.”

For more than 100 million American adults who have elevated cholesterol or cholesterol between 200 – 240 mg/dL, physicians typically do not recommend prescription drugs.  Instead, they encourage patients to lower their cholesterol through diet and exercise.  Recent clinical studies have shown that OatVantage may be used as part of a balanced diet to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

According to the FDA, people who consume products containing three grams of oat soluble fiber per day – or about three bowls of instant oatmeal – may reduce their risk of heart disease.  Unfortunately, for most consumers, eating this much instant oatmeal or cold oat cereal is unrealistic, and finding an effective dietary supplement has been difficult – until now.

Two OatVantage servings (two capsules, twice daily) provide 1.5 grams of oat soluble fiber – or the equivalent soluble fiber of about a cup and a half of instant oatmeal or cold oat cereal.  “OatVantage as a dietary supplement is a powerful tool that consumers can easily adopt in their efforts to reduce their risk of heart disease or help maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range,”* Parker said.  “Consuming two capsules of OatVantage provides the same benefit as 20 capsules of regular oat bran.  OatVantage provides several additional health benefits, including maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and decreasing appetite.”*

*  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This nutritional supplement is sold in GNC stores, The Vitamin Shoppe,  Vitamin World, and thousands of independent health food stores under the OatVantage label, and in products that include OatVantage as the key ingredient.  An all-natural supplement, OatVantage is non-allergenic, appropriate for strict vegetarians, and certified Kosher. 

About Nurture, Inc.
Nurture, Inc. is a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of proprietary, high value-added ingredients derived from oats and other cereal grains, and utilized in a variety of human health, personal care and industrial applications.  The company’s flagship product, OatVantage, offers consumers the highest concentration of soluble oat fiber available today, and has been proven to lower LDL cholesterol, which benefits cardiovascular health, diabetes, and weight management.
 
OatVantage is sold at more than 10,000 retail stores nationwide, in the form of supplements, nutritional bars, and beverages.  Nurture, Inc. is headquartered in Devon, Pennsylvania, with a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Missoula, Montana.  Additional information is available at www.oatvantage.com and www.nurture-inc.com.

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